Update: Jones next Sheriff after Klumpp withdraws

Thursday

Apr 26, 2012 at 3:39 PM

The Capital-Journal

Former Topeka Police Chief Ed Klumpp pulled his name from consideration prior to a Thursday night meeting in which a successor was picked to fill the unexpired term of retiring Shawnee County Sheriff Richard Barta.

Jones received 160 of the 212 votes cast at the meeting. There were 51 "no" votes, the only option for people opposed to the only eligible nominated candidate, while one vote was considered provisional over questions whether the rules involved allowed for it to be counted.

In a letter distributed before the meeting, Klumpp said misinformation about his tenure as Topeka police chief had created a negative political climate that would not be good for the Sheriff’s office or the county Republican party. Klumpp wrote that while he could refute what he called damaging "inaccurate information" that was disseminated, and believed he had the votes on hand to win, he was "not willing to bring the controversy that has been created into the office."

The alleged inaccuracies were contained in a yellow card mailed to precinct committee members.

The retirement of Barta, a Republican, before the expiration of his term left the issue of his replacement to the Shawnee County Republican party leadership. Klumpp and Jones, both Republicans, submitted their names for consideration for the meeting of precinct chairman Thursday at at Highland Park High School. Some 280 Republican precinct committee members were eligible to vote on the recommendation that goes to Gov. Sam Brownback for formal approval.

Capital-Journal reporter Tim Hrenchir is posting live via Twitter in providing play-by-play of the proceedings. His Tweets can be found below and on Twitter at @timhrenchir.

6:42 (Hrenchir): Ed Klumpp is withdrawing from the race for Shawnee County Sheriff

6:47 (Hrenchir): A woman out in the hall at today’s convention is handing out copies of a letter explaining the decision. The letter is addressed from Klumpp to precinct committeemen and committeewomen.

6:49 (Hrenchir): The letter said "the negative politics has reached a level far beyond what can be good for" the county sheriff’s office or Republican Party

6:52 (Hrenchir) Klumpp says while he can present documentation to refute the claims against him, there is nothing to be gained by continuing his candidacy. Klumpp: I am not willing to bring the controversy that has been created into the office.

6:58 (Hrenchir): Klumpp continued, "The damage of inaccurate information that will carry over to the office if I proceed is already incurred."

7:04 (Hrenchir): People are still filing into the election to choose a sheriff. I expect it will start a bit behind schedule. Precinct committee people will sit on chairs on the basketball court while spectators will watch from the bleachers.

7:10 (Hrenchir): Herman Jones is standing with Richard Barta

7:18 (Hrenchir): Bob Eckhardt, chairman of the Shawnee County Republican Party, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. The crowd applauds Richard Barta for the job he’s done as sheriff.

7:24 (Hrenchir): The meeting is on hold as they find out how many precinct committee members are on hand and how many votes have been submitted by proxy.

7:28: 141 precinct committee members are on hand to vote in person while 77 votes are being submitted by proxy.

7:30: Klummp’s letter is accompanied by a document citing what he describes as numerous inaccuracies in a postcard mailed to precinct people.

7:35: Klumpp letter says it’s clear to him he would have had enough votes to win tonight.

7:40: Klumpp wrote: "But simply winning the vote tonight is not success. I must ask myself, "At what cost?"

7:42: Floor is open for nomination of candidates. Herman Jones is nominated. It’s seconded. Steve Taylor is nominated and the nomination seconded. Nominations are closed. Steve Taylor isn’t present in the audience. Jones will address the committee but Taylor won’t.

7:45: Here on the basketball court at Highland Park High School, it looks like election as sheriff is a slam dunk for Herman Jones.

7:50: Steve Taylor’s nomination was disqualified because he’s not present. Herman Jones will be sheriff.

7:55: In response to a question, Jones admits he’s been a Republican for only a short period of time but promises not to switch back to Democrat.

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